If there’s anyone who could take a tutorial in self-censorship, it’s War Machine (12-4 MMA, 0-0 BFC).

The welterweight fighter, who’s given name is Jon Koppenhaver, recently fought his first fight since a year in jail for assault. The brush with the law capped the latest in a string of incidents outside the cage that forced his exit from the UFC in 2008.

Koppenhaver today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that he can’t change who he is, but on the eve of a big-show opportunity in Bellator’s season-six welterweight tournament, he’s going to exercise caution before he opens his mouth or types on a keyboard.

“(Bellator chairman and CEO) Bjorn Rebney had a big talk with me before he signed me, and you know how I am,” Koppenhaver said. “He didn’t want to change me. He just wants me to put a filter on what I say. I say some funny stuff, some crazy stuff that people can enjoy.

“But I also can say stuff that only a very small percentage of the population like. When I have those thoughts, I’m not going to say those thoughts. I’m still going to be me and say crazy stuff, but when it comes to huge things that could offend a large population of people, I’m going to shut up.”

If you haven’t been keeping up on current events, the topic of conduct outside the workplace has become a big issue. This week, former light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans landed in hot water by invoking the Penn State sex-abuse scandal during a UFC press conference, and UFC bantamweight Miguel Torres was fired on Thursday for a tweet quoting the TV show “Workaholics” that poked fun at rape.

But before any of that, Koppenhaver made a significant contribution to the book of verbal and physical misconduct in MMA. He was cut from the UFC shortly after refusing a fight and posting a message on Myspace (remember that?) that disparaged deceased fighter Evan Tanner. Less than a year later, he was signed to Bellator and then cut by the promotion before fighting when he wished death upon President Barack Obama. Then came an incident in a San Diego bar that later landed him in jail.

“With Miguel Torres, man, he was saying a little joke,” Koppenhaver said. “That was kind of stupid. I think they wanted to get rid of him for a different reason or something. They used it for an excuse. I don’t know.”

As a condition of his parole, Koppenhaver is not allowed to drink alcohol – though he said he’s never had a problem with drinking and didn’t get counseling for an admitted anger-management problem – and said he spends much of his time with his wife when he’s not training.

Does he consider himself a changed man?

“I don’t like to use that term because you can’t take the stripes off a tiger,” he said. “I’m always going to be me, but I’ve changed in that I’ve changed my behavior. I know I’ve only been arrested in bars and clubs. So I’m not going to go there any more. I’m not going to put myself in those situations. That’s why. I’m smart. If I go to a bar or a club, something might happen. If someone acts up, I might punch them.

“I can’t change that about my personality, so I have to take myself out of that situation. I’m sure by doing that, I’ll never get in trouble again.”

Things are going well so far. Koppenhaver beat former UFC star Roger Huerta at a regional event this past month and expects to make his Bellator debut in February or March. If he’s successful in the tournament, he could give welterweight champ Ben Askren a run for his money.

But he’s got to stay out of trouble. That means he can’t live much of a life outside the gym. It’s still far better than a life behind bars.

“My friends go out and have fun, and I want to go out and have fun,” he said. “It’s really mellow. But I’m just trying to stay low-key.”

For more on Bellator’s upcoming season, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by Gorgeous George, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Goze. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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